What are the benefits of olive oil?

Even by itself, high quality olive oil will be a great source of vitamin and mineral that babies need during their development period.
Most parents are worried that use of oils when cooking for babies will cause weight related problems. However researches made all around the world show that oils are one of the most important nutrients that support the body and brain development of babies.
Cooking dishes with just half a spoon of olive oil will help to supply the required nutrients in a healthier and more accurate way.
Vitamin E and oleic acid content of the breast milk and olive oil will support normal bone development as well. It supports in general the development of the nervous system of the baby at mother's womb and after birth and that's why it is particularly important for the pregnant and breast feeding mothers.

When can I introduce olive oil to my baby?

You may start cooking the dishes for your babies with olive oil after month 6. However if your baby is overweight or underweight, consult your doctor to determine the convenient date to introduce olive oil to your baby.
To prevent allergic reactions that may arise from time to time, make sure that the first dish you cook with olive oil is something that your baby is used and enjoys eating. This way you will easily assess whether it is an olive oil related reaction or not.

How should I store olive oil?

You should keep olive oil away from light and heat. So try to store it olive oil in dark colored bottles. Olive oil can be kept in ceramic or tin cans in a cool and odorless environment away from light. Limit exposure to light and oxygen to keep it fresh. Transfer the oil left in large containers after use to a smaller container to minimize its contact with oxygen. The shelf life of a high quality extra virgin olive oil is 6 months. After that point, nutritional elements subside. Optimum period is one year. It is better to buy it in small quantities and to replenish it more frequently. Harvesting season of olive is September October. At these dates, olives harvested earlier will be on the market.

What types of olive oil are there?

The rate of "oleic acid" in 100 gr olive oil determines its type.
Olive oils with acidity level up to 0.8% are referred to as "extra virgin olive oil".
Olive oils with acidity level from 0.8% to 2% are referred to as "virgin olive oil".
Olive oil with acidity level above 1% prepared by mixing refined olive oil and extra virgin olive oil is referred to as "rive".

What is the acidity level of olive oil?

The rate of "oleic acid" in 100 gr olive oil determines its type.
Even though acidity level is an important indicator for taste, there are also different, bitter and still fresh olive oils with low acidity and strong taste. In fact olive oil resembles to wine in terms of taste. The taste of olive oil depends on the region olives are grown, the way they are grown, how they are picked and pressed and personal tastes change in this respect. For example early harvested olives, have the ripe taste of the olive and it has dark green color. Its taste is significant. The color of the oil being dark green is not a proof of its level of pureness or does not mean that it is an extra-virgin olive oil. Gourmet baby's should go with extra-virgin olive oils. It is important that the oil is not heated too much and smoke does not come out while cooking. The best is to add extra-virgin olive oil to the olive oil dishes cooked with a little oil, after letting it cool.


How can we find the olive oil that suits our taste according to its acid ratio?

As the level of acidity drops, the taste of olive subsides. If you find the taste of olive oil a little heavy you should prefer the ones with low acidity rates.